1900

Every fall during the college football season favorite players are mentioned for possible selection on the somewhat mythical but honorary "All America Team." The question of who fathered this idea has merited some attention. For many years Walter Camp was believed to be the "Daddy of Alls." Last December in the sports column of the Boston Record American, Austen Lake pointed out that Clarence McDavitt was responsible for unearthing the real "Daddy." "Mac," with his keen nose for accuracy, did a lot of painstaking research in old newspapers and magazines. He found that the very first All America selections were made by Casper Whitney in 1889, and were published in a Chicago newspaper. For some years thereafter Whitney's rather arbitrary personal selections appeared in Harpers Weekly. It was not until 1897 that Walter Camp's selections began to appear in Colliers. Much credit belongs to "Mac" for ferreting out the real originator of this idea.

Mina Hadlock, widow of Fred Hadlock, speaks feelingly about sharing one's time with worthwhile community projects. In a letter she says: "I am interested in church work - have been the best part of my married life - and still do a certain amount; one feels happier when active." Indeed, it is so! Congratulations go to Mina that at her age she is able to share her interest and her ability in a worthy project.

Gertrude Balkam, "Cuddy" Balkam's widow, reports that her four children are well, and that in May all four came, at the same time, to visit her at Harwich Port, Mass. This was a real red carpet event for it was the first time since 1945, when her two sons returned home from military service, that the children had all been together. And what a reunion the Balkam family had! Gertrude also reports twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A splendid group to carry on the fine and sturdy traditions of the Balkam family.

Marion Fairfield, Perry Fairfield's daughter, writes me that her sister Ruth's eldest son is working toward his Ph.D. in physics at Stanford University, the second son has graduated from Cornell in agriculture and now is being drafted by the Army, and that the eldest daughter is a sophomore at Indiana University. Marion herself has a successful medical practice in Nashua, N. H., and too is well known in women's golfing circles. The past summer she was one of the competitors in the New Hampshire Women's Open held in Hanover.

The latter part of June Arthur and Jeannette Virgin motored down to this area. They paid a business visit to Concord, N. H., attended a wedding in Claremont, and spent two days in Hanover. On their return to North Hatley they were thrust into activities of gardening, cattle fairs, and an antique show in which Jeannette was an important cog. In July the Virgins hosted the annual cow picnic at their farm. Some 250 men, women, and children attended. The guests brought their own box lunches and the Virgins provided mountainous plates of cake, and gallons of ice cream and coffee. This affair involved a multitude of detailed preparations, and at the conclusion of the event the Virgins were willing to call it a day. The picnic was a great success, and a good time was had by all. Our friends appear to be quite in the thick of North Hatley events.

Secretary and Treasurer Box 714, Hanover, N. H.